Wednesday, April 18, 2012

A conversation with candidates on public priorities co-presented by the Austin Creative Alliance (ACA), Austin Music People (AMP), Austin Film Society (AFS) and Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts of Central Texas (TALA)

Austin Creative Alliance today announces the “Mayoral and Council Candidate Forum for the Creative Sector” to give voters an accurate understanding of the position of each candidate on issues concerning the sector. Addressing issues such as affordable housing, funding sources, public policy, job creation and economic development, and the creation of durable community institutions—the questions will be culled from the co-presenting organizations’ leadership as well as input from their constituents.

The creative sector in Austin is a $2.2 billion industry that contributes over $48 million annually to the City tax base and over 44,000 jobs. We invite the Mayoral and Council candidates to the table to address critical issues for this city that our boards, member organizations and artists, and partner groups agree are pivotal factors this coming election.

As community-based nonprofit organizations representing an extensive and diverse constituency, Austin Creative Alliance, Austin Music People, Austin Film Society, and Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts of Central Texas (TALA) believe it is their responsibility to raise awareness of and facilitate discussion concerning issues deemed important by community residents and creative industry. Community members can submit questions in advance at www.facebook.com/events/164979496958188/

The “Mayoral and Council Candidate Forum for the Creative Sector” is open and free to all, but an RSVP is requested.

5:30-6:00pm Happy Hour: Mix, Mingle, and share a beverage with your community and fellow candidates

6:00-6:30pm Mayoral Candidate Forum

6:30-7:30pm City Council Candidate Forum - Please note that questions will be posed at large so that candidates who need to leave early for another engagement or those who arrive late will all have an opportunity to participate fully in the forum.